Bizhan kamkar
A great dafplayer
Bijan Kamkar
Born in sanandaj in 1949
He learned his music lessons from his father as well as the other members of his family.
Bijan began his professional career as a vocalist in sanandaj radio center. The first
instrument he chose was tombak but then he took his part in Kamkars ensemble as a
melodica & tar player. In 1969 he met Mohammadreza Lotfi, a relation that he himself
addresses it as a turning point in his life; because Lotfi, after Bijan’s father, had a dominant
role in getting him to know Tar & Iranian music. He was one of the first ones who joined to
Sheyda ensemble as a tombak player but when Arjang joined the group, he began playing
Robab. After all these, a new age in Bijan’s life, in fact in Iranian traditional music, began
when he started playing Daf according to what Mohammadreza Lotfi recommended him.
From then on, the instrument that was playing only in Khaneghahs (mosque of dervishes)
found its path toward public places, thanks to Bijan Kamkar. The enthusiastic reception of
audiences and Bijan’s powerful hands were became the reasons for Daf to continue its
energetic presence in Iranian music so much, that today it is an inseparable part if it.
Besides performing many concerts in Iran & other countries with well-known ensembles
and in credited global festivals, he has participated in more than 120 albums as a
composer, player and vocalist. Bijan has composed music for 20 films, series & TV
programs. Agri Zindoo, Shilerah, Gole sad barg, Daf o nay, Daf o robab, Afsaneye tanboor
&… are some his works.
Bron: http://www.kamkars.net/about_en/#2
